The purpose of the program is to “improve health outcomes by increasing access to resources and by reducing health disparities” in the short and long term. One goal is to increase the community’s understanding of available resources and referrals. The foundation would like to increase parents’ awareness of behavioral health resources via the 2-1-1 call system.

Attendees discussed this with others at their table and then wrote down suggestions to the Brandywine staff about the goals presented.

Karol Collins, co-chair of the Strawberry Festival, said the outreach to the public has to start by “educating the kids.” Several participants discussed the options of cellphone apps and internet searches.

The priority of healthy youth is to “improve the health, development and leadership of youth.” Ideas include the upcoming Brandywine Trek and “Summer ServiceCorps.” The trek is a hands-on educational experience of the watershed ecosystem and participation in outdoor activities. The ServiceCorps program aims to help participants grow in self-esteem, character and maturity by building leadership and work skills.

The staff is developing a plan to launch “Coatesville Youthilanthropy” that will allow youths to know what it feels like to give back to their community.

“I wanted to get involved in my community,” said Aja Thompson, who is involved in the Coatesville Youth Initiative program of the Brandywine Health Foundation.

Thompson joined the program last summer. She said she has learned skills through the program to improve personally and professionally, how to work with others, and how to manage finances. She said it is a good way for young people to get involved, even calling her experience an eye-opener.

The youth initiative program is currently working on becoming an independent non-profit agency starting January 2014. The staff and boards of the Foundation and the Coatesville Youth Initiative embarked on a transition process in December.

The priority is to “improve community responsiveness to social determinants of health.” They asked the public for feedback on exploring the idea of 2014 weekly music, poetry, movies and plays during the summer, in Gateway Park.

Additional ideas for upcoming years involve conducting a study of all trails, playgrounds and parks in the Coatesville Area School District to see what is needed to fully upgrade them. That would include Gateway Park in the city, creating more access to and usage of the Brandywine Creek and to introduce an All Abilities Park.

At the end of the presentation, staff members gathered the sheets of paper on which participants wrote their overall feedback. One note said transportation is a “barrier to health equity.” Individuals said several people lack means of transportation and therefore are not using health resources that are available.

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